FranField, winner of last year’s Burger King Superstakes, will have leading apprentice Bebeto Harvey in the saddle as he prepares to defend his crown on Saturday next.

Franfield was ridden to Superstakes victory last year by the incomparable Winston Griffiths, who nowadays in not a very active participant at morning exercise.

Apprentices are not allowed to claim in the Superstakes, which is a weight-for-age invitational race. This was confirmed by the trainer of Franfield, Richard Azan, the man who has made the Superstakes his own domain.

“Yes, I am confirming that apprentice Bebeto Harvey, who rode Franfield to victory earlier in October in the 10- furlong Governor General’s Stakes – the same distance as the Superstakes – [will be in the saddle].

“Harvey has been riding really well of late and has developed into a fine rider, plus he knows the horse quite well.

“I am confident that the young man can get the job done on Saturday, and for certain he will do his best and his utmost to win,” said Azan, who is also Harvey’s apprentice master.

In the GG Stakes, Franfield defeated persistent rival Perfect neighbour by four lengths while clocking 2:08. 3.

Thus far this season, Harvey has ridden 47 winners to place second in the jockeys’ championship. Omar Walker is the leader with 61 winners to his name.

As to Franfield’s preparation for this year’s Burger King Superstakes, Azan stated that his charge was coming along nicely. “Franfield is [doing] quite well.

He has no real issues dealing with at this time and is doing well on the exercise track although not burning up the track or sending egrets into flight.

“I must say, however, that most of Franfield’s major rivals are doing much better times going into the race.

“I am not really perturbed by this, as Franfield is a performer and has a big heart.

“On the day when he (Franfield) is on the track, he will run and we will just have to wait and see how it unfolds. Only time will tell ,” Azan said.